Job Discussion Forums

[fladude]

Ok so I've been planning my next career for awhile now. This is my 130th post on Dave's and I still haven't left the country or started a CELTA yet. I have managed to travel some though. I wanted to become a certified teacher before I left the country so that International Schools might be an option for me (or at least give me more options). I'm working as a high school teacher at the moment just starting up a second year teaching social studies and remedial writing. I am certified in English 6-12 and Social Studies 6-12. My BA was in History and Philosophy. I also have an unrelated graduate degree.

I want to give ESL a go for a few years. I had thought about doing the CELTA in Colombia and then either staying there or going either to Peru or one of the Central American countries and give teaching a go there. Panama has some attraction to me. I grew up in Florida, as my name implies, and have spent most of my life there. So as you might imagine, I feel fairly comfortable among Latin people.

That said, I don't speak a word of Spanish. I tried in high school but was terrible at it. I have a hard time learning other languages. Can I make it in Colombia or some other country in LA without speaking Spanish?

Obviously once I get there, I will make every effort to learn Spanish, but with all the problems that I have with other languages, I think it could take me a full year to even to speak passable basic Spanish.

Is Latin America do-able for someone like me who doesn't speak the language and who has a hard time learning other languages?

My other option of course would be to go to Asia instead. I've been to Asia on vacation before and like it, but its a long way from Florida. I can't imagine myself really settling down in an Asian country, whereas a Latin American country might hold some promise.

Any thoughts? Oh and also has anyone taught in Panama ?

[TeresaLopez]

My advice would be to forget ESL. A certified teacher in an international school makes A LOT more money, almost always has more benefits, works less hours, usually, and has a more secure job. You might find that immersion works for you, much liked you learned your first language, rather than classes or grammar.

[spanglish]

I'll second Teresa. In many cases a CELTA will qualify you for a bad job with a shady employer. Unless you get lucky right away, you'll definitely be paying your dues for at least a year. Working at an international school you'll easily make triple, plus lots of benefits like flights and a work visa.

[kingkristopher]

I'll second (or third) what the others have said. If you are attracted to Panama they have two fine international schools, Balboa Academy and International School of Panama, which pay well and will take care of all your visa requirements. Additionally, Panama would be a seamless transition from Florida as it has had a strong US influence. You will be able to get by quite easily while you are learning Spanish.

[naturegirl321]

Long and short of it, you don't need to know the language of the host country to teach English. It'll make your life easier outside the classroom and can help inside, but lots of people don't speak the host country's language.

[fladude]

Well that certainly sounds like good advice. I'd prefer to work a few months in ESL before I switched back to regular teaching just to try it out, but I'm certainly open to anything. I also think I might learn Spanish if I were immersed in it, although I know that I will have to work really hard at it.